Charles p



C. P. COOPER.

COAL BIN.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2|. 1911.

1 ,3 1 6368 Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

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onrrnn s'rnrns PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES P. COOPER, F RUTLAND, VERMONT, ASSIGNOR TO THE CREA'MERY PACKAGE MFG. COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

COAL-BIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 21, 1917. Serial No. 150,067.

the following is a specification.

This invention relates to coal bins or pockets of the type consisting of wooden staves arranged in cylindrical formand held in place by means of encircling hoops. Such a bin is provided near its lower end with an opening through which the coal is discharged by gravity. It has been found that as the coal flows out through the discharge Opening the bin is distorted, the staves over the outlet being forced or drawn inwardly.

to a depth of several inches over an area two or three feet wide and of a height equal to from one-fourth to one-half the distance from the outlet to the top of the bin; and the bin being caused to bulge in regions at opposite sides of the depressed area. Such distortion of the bin appears to arise in the following manner: As the coal is drawn out, the outlet is relieved, the coal apparently arching around the space above the outlet and exerting its full pressure at all other points. The pressure against the hoops in the region above the outlet being thus relieved, the hoops allow the bin to bulge at opposite sides of the area of relieved pressure. When the'bin is again filled up, it tends to resume its original shape, but as coal is again drawn off the bin is once more distorted.

The object of this invention is to provide means for preventing such distortion of round stave bins.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmental elevation of a round stave bin embodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the bin. Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 but showing another means for preventing distortion of the bin. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the bin shown in Fig. 3.

In the drawings, 1 denotes the vertical wooden staves of which the bin is formed, and 2 indicates a suitable foundation upon which the bin stands. 3 are the ordinary hoops surrounding the series of staves and binding them into cylind ic l form.- 4. rep? resents outlets which may be of any suitable size and shape. The bin may have any desired number of outlets. If two or more outlets are used, they should be placed as nearly equidistant as convenient. Herein are shown three outlets, equidistantly spaced.

. Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the means illustrated in these figures for preventing distortion of the bin as coal is drawn therefrom comprises segmental bars 5 of suitable length extending partially around the bin upon the outer side thereof. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there are three such bars in a given horizontal plane, the three bars being held in place by means of three pairs of tie rods 6. The pairs of rods 6 unite adjacent ends of adjacent bars 5, the bars extending through the bin as indicated in Fig. 2. Preferably two sets of bars 5 are employed, one set being located in a horizontal plane immediately over the outlets, and the other in a horizontal plane several feet above the first mentioned plane. The bars 5 may be of any suitable length.

It will be understood that when the bin is provided with only two outlets 4 arranged diametrically opposite each other, only two bars 5 are required in a given horizontal plane. Whether two or three outlets are used, the bars 5 are located between the outlets so as to resist the unbalanced pressure existing in those regions when the pressure is relieved above the outlets.

In the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4, I employ a horizontal segmental bar 7 located within the bin directly over each outlet 4:. Each bar 7 is long enough to bridge the area of relieved pressure created as the coal is drawn out; and by thus supporting the hoops against inward movement the bars 7 enable the hoops to restrain the walls of the bin against bulging in the regions exposed to the full pressure of the coal.

The segmental bars 7 may be held in place in any suitable manner. For example, they may be secured in position by means of hook bolts 8 extending through the bars and the staves and hooked over a hoop 8 extending in the horizontal plane of the bars.

If desired, two or more segmental bars 7 may be provided above each outlet 4:, one being 'sl t rsl lose to t e pelling d the other being located several feet higher, as indicated in Fig. 3.

The bars 5 and 7 may be of any suitable form providing sufficient rigidity. For eX- ample, they may have the cross-sectional form of channel bars, T-irons or angle irons.

I claim as my invention: 1. In combmation, a bm having an open ing or openings, and as a means for resisting inward collapse of the structure above the opening or openings, or outward bulging transversely of a diameter passing through the opening or openings, reinforcing means or braces confined substantially to a segment through the opening, said means including an arcuate member located above the opening and confined substantially to a segmental portion not greater than one-quarter of the circumference of the bin, said member 7 being adapted to resist directly inward collapse of the structure.

3. In combination with a bin having an opening therein, reinforcing means for resisting distortion of the bin owing to the Variation of strain produced by uneven relief from internal pressure due to discharge through the opening, said means comprising a pair of arcuate members located on opposite sides of a diameter in which the opening lies and adapted to brace directly such portions as tend to bulge outwardly, said members being'of a length not greater than one-quarter of the circumference of the bin.

In testimony whereof I havehereunto set my hand.

CHARLES P. COOPER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

